Community Pays Tribute To Former Miami Top Cop Timoney
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MIAMI (CBSMiami) -- A procession lead the body of former Miami Police Chief John Timoney to St. Patrick's Church in Miami Beach on one of his final journeys through South Florida.
On the way, his hearse passed the Miami Police Headquarters. He lead the department from 2003- until 2010.
Timoney died Tuesday in Miami of lung cancer.
By his side in those final hours was former Miami Mayor Manny Diaz.
"He was bigger than life," said Diaz." He was out of central casting for the tough Irish Cop, but an incredible heart."
Timoney was hired under Diaz's watch. The two were also close friends. He credits Timoney for cleaning up the Miami Police Department.
"We all have short memories and we really forget the state of our police community affairs in 2000, 2001," Diaz said. "They were not pretty and he managed to turn that around."
Assistant Chief Jorge Gomez says Timoney restored public trust.
"I'm a product of that man. I looked up to that man," said Gomez.
He believes much of his success came from his bike rides. Timoney was often found on his bike pedaling around neighborhoods, getting to know the people who lived there, building a bond.
"He came as a stranger from New York, but he left us the other day as a fellow Miamian. He loved Miami," Gomez said.
There will be another funeral mass Tuesday at St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City. He will be buried in New York.
